Article support



Dec. 29, 1964 w. D. HUSTED ARTICLE SUPPORT Filed Sept. 12, 1963 William D. Husted W .avz%

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,163,392 ARTICLE SUPPGRT William D. Busted, Wadsworth St, R.D., Middletown, Conn. Fiied Sept. 12, 1%3, Set. No. 308,576 24 Claims. (Cl. 248-223) This invention relates to an article support, and more particularly to such a support adapted to be used in conjunction with a conventional perforated board.

The primer object of this invention resides in the provision of an improved article support, such as a hook or the like, provided with a pair of spaced projections on the rear surface thereof which are adapted to engage in adjacent, or separated openings conventionally spaced in a conventional perforated board together with means for securing the device firmly in position on the board.

An additional object of the invention resides in the provision of such an article support which may be readily and expeditiously affixed to and removed from the perforated board without dimculty, and without damage to the board, such as chipping of the surface thereof, or edges of the holes or openings.

- Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of a device of this character which may be readily inserted in the board, and which, when inserted, may be clampingly engaged so as to secure the device flush against the surface of the board, and which, when removal is desired, may be readily and expeditiously re leased for removal.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which may be inexpensively molded from a single piece of plastic or the like and which is provided with a single movable lever element for clamping and unclamping the hook or support which may be inserted for use by the purchaser.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a lever arrangement of this character which may be inserted in substantially any position and still be effective,

so as to render the device substantially impossible to misassemble.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of thisinvention, it may here be pointed out that perforated boards having a plurality of equidistantly spaced holes therein are known, and are adapted for the reception of various article supporting devices, such as hooks, shelf supports, and the like.

Heretofore, many of these article supports have been manufactured from a single piece of molded plastic, and

have been characterized by a pair of spaced projections on the rear surface thereof which engage in adjacent.

openings, to secure the article support to the board. A primary disadvantage of articles of this nature'has heretofore been that in order securely to hold the support to the board. it has been necessary to space the projections relatively closely so that they clampingly engage the adjacent sides of the perforations, and such close clamping has resulted, when the article is removed in chipping the board or the finish thereof adjacent the holes, or other damage thereto. Furthermore, it has frequently been difficult if not impossible to remove such tightly clamped supports without the use of prying tools, such as a screwdriver or the like which has resulted in further damage to the board. It is an important object of this invention to provide an inexpensive substantially one piece molded plastic article support which, while achieving all of the advantages in simplicity and cheapness of the previously manufactured article, avoids these disadvantages in'that' the rear projections are spaced a distance apart sufficient to permit their ready insertion and removal from the holes of the board, but wherein means are provided, after the device is positioned on the board, for moving the projections more closely together clampingly to engage the adjacent edges to the hole, by means of the over center snap action of a suitable lever inserted in a suitable cam a device of this character WlllChlS sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation, and

relatively simple and inexpensiveto manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanying drawing wherein there is.

disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawing:

FIGURE, lA'is a side elevational view of one form of article; support embodying the instant inventive concept shown in released or unclarnped position for insertion intoor removal from the openings in a perforated board. 1

FIGURE 1B is a view similar to FIG. 1A but showing the device in locked or clamping position.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of FIGURE 13 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view, partially broken away, showing certain operative components of the device in disassembled relation; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective View showing one form of tive concept in position on a perforated board.

Similar referencercharacters refer to similar parts throughout the severalviews of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail, there is generally indicated at 10 one form of article support constructed in accordance with the instant invention which comprises a base 11 having a substantially flat rear surface 12 adapted to be positioned flush against'the flat surface 13 of a perforated board generally indicated at 14 and having the conventional equidistantly spaced openings 14a therein, The base 11 has formed integrally therewith on its front surface a hook 15 or similar article supporting device, which maybe formed as a sheet 16 having marginal flanges17 for strength,-with the central portions being reduced in thickness for lightness. The base 11 has a first projection or tongue 29 adjacent one end, which is of semi-circular formation and includes an arcuately extending tip 21 which extends beyond the end of the base. The adjacent end 22 of the base extends outwardlybeyond the inner radius of curvature of the hook, and serves as a fulcrum when releasing the device from the board, as well as armeans for engaging the lip of the adjacent hole to hold the hook shaped portion or projectionZil securely in position. A secondprojection 23 extends rearwardly from the opposite end of the device, and includes an angled rear surface'24 anda cutaway portion 25 which defines a pointed protuberance 2-5 on the side of projection 23 adjacent projection 20, the protuberance being so arranged as to normally engage beneath the lip of the hole in which it is inserted on the side adjacent the opposite projection to afford a clamping action for the device. Both projections 20 and 23 are the length to extend entirely through thethickness of the board so that the end 21 in the protuberance 26 whenthe support is in position.

Patented Dec. 29, 1954 p The inner extremity of projection 23 is tapered to a sharp edge 27to' facilitateinserti'on in the hole.

a In initially forming the device an opening 30 is provided extending longitudinally of the base and tapering inwardly as at 31, to define a lower flexible tongue '32, a

transverse groove -33 extendingacross-the inner end ofthetongueadjacent thetapered end 31-permitting the tongue toflex, asshowzu'in FIGURE '1A out of the flat plate in the surface of base 12' slightly'toward the article supporting member 15.

The'tongue32 tapersor inclines" downwardly on the side within'the opening'30' adjacent its free end, and isprovided at its extremity with a lug'34 projecting in-- wardly toward the top of the opening. 1 The top of the opening 30 is formed with an inclined cam surface 35' adjacentthe outer end of whichis a transverse groove 36, forming a rounded outer lip 37.

The entireunit may be formed by molding, and is comprised of a suitable plastic. One type of plasticfound suitable forthe purpose is that known as Teflon, manu-- faotured by Du Pont Company, although othersimilar materials may be advantageously employed.

The second component of the device consists of an'op crating member generally indicated at 40, which is a single hollow rectangular element including apair of long sides 41 and a pair of short sides 42, the edges of the latter being slightly rounded as 'at43, to facilitate rota-' tion, but insufficiently rounded to preclude'a snapaction of the member when moved. The member 40 is inserted into the opening 30 with'one of its short sides 42 engaged'over the'lug 34. With the device in the position shown in FIG. 1A the thin portion of the short side 42, that is, the thickness thereof which is less than the height, seats in therecess-30 as indicated, so that the tongue 32 is slightly flexed or bowed upwardly away from the surface 13 of the perforated board. The hook member 21 is first inserted in an opening, and the projection 23"positioned in an adjacent opening as indicated. The distance between the center lines .of the projections being, indicated at A in FIGURE 1A. 'When the lever member'42 is swung toward the board in the. direction indicated by 1B so that protuberance26 tightly clamps beneath the rim:

of the hole 15 into which it isinserted. The edge 42 after it has completed its swingitothe'flush positionofFIG- URE 1B engages in a transverse groove 36 with'an over center snap action so that it is-held substantially flush against the surface of' the board andclampinglyengages the article support-to the board so that =a'-direct pull thereon is substantially ineffective to dislodgetheprojection23.

Whenit is desired to releasethe device; however, the

lever '40 and its associated bar or short side 42 is moved in a counterclockwisedirection so that the-pressure against tongue 32 is relieved and the normal flexibility of tongue 32 imparted by groove 31 permits projection 23. to return to the position of FIGURE 1A. At thistime avery light force exerted on article support 15 will suffice to pull the projection 23 out of its associated opening. At the same time the projection 22 acts as a fulcrum againstthe board at the opposite end of the base, and serves to facilitate the ready removal of arcuate hook 20 from its associated hole.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved article support which may be readily applied to and detached from a perforated board, which may be molded from a single piece of plastic or the like, and which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodimentsmay'be madeof this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter hereinis to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In combination with a perforatedboard having spaced openings therein, an article support including a substantially flat base including a resilient flexible portion seating against said board, a first projection extending into one of said openings, a second projection on said flexible portion extending into an adjacent opening,.said second projection having a protuberance therein extending toward said first projection, said projections being of a length to extend interiorly through said board, and means associated with said base for moving said flexible portion and hence moving said second projection toward said first projection whereby said protuberance engages under the rim of its associated opening to clamp said base and hence said article support against said board.

2. In combination with a perforated board having spaced openings therein, an article support'including a substantially flat base including a resilient flexible portion seating against-said board, a first projection extending into one of said openings, a second projection on said flexible'portionextending into an adjacent opening, said second projection having a protuberance therein extending toward said first projection,said projections being of a length to extend interiorly through said board, means associated with said base for moving said flexible portion and hence moving said second projection toward said first projection whereby said protuberance engages under the rim of its associated'opening to clamp said-base and hence said article support against said board, and means for releasing said last-mentioned means whereby the resiliency of said portion returnssaid second projectionto a position to disengage said protuberance to permit ready re-' moval of said article-support.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein the means for moving said second projectioncomprises means defining a recess in said support adjacent one end of said base, to form a tongue at the end of said base, said tongue comprising said flexible resilient portion, said second protuberance extending from said tongue, means in said recess defining a camsurface, and lever means operable against said cam surface to flex said tongue toward said board and base near said second projection and itsassociated protuberance.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said lever means comprises a transverse bar of rectangular.cross-section having a long side and a short side, and operating means to rotate said bar to engage its long side against said cam surface to bias said tongue away from said cam surface.

5. "The structure. of claim 4 wherein said transverse bar comprises one short side of a rectangular operating member comprising two long and two short sides, the short sides being interchangeably insertible into said recess.

6. The structure of claim 4 wherein the edges of said transverse bar are slightly arcuate to facilitate rotation thereof against said cam surface.

7. The structure of claim 3 wherein said article support, tongue projections and protuberance are formed of a single piece of molded plastic.

8. The structure of claim 3 wherein said article support, tongue projections and protuberance are formed of a single piece of molded Teflon.

9. The structure of claim 4 wherein said cam surface is formed with a transverse groove into which said bar moves upon completion of its path of travel to provide an over center snap action clamping said bar and hence said tongue in operating position. i

10. The structure of claim 4 wherein a transverse groove is formed in said tongue adjacent the end of said recess to impart flexibility thereto.

11. The structure of claim 4 wherein a lug is formed at the free end of said tongue to retain said transverse bar in said recess.

12. The structure of claim 11 wherein said tongue tapers to form an inclined extending upwardly from said lug at the free end thereof, said bar travelling along said incline during rotation thereof.

13. An article support for use with a perforated board, comprising a flat surfaced base adapted to seat against the board, a first projection extending from the flat surface of said base adapted to engage a first hole in said perforated board, a second projection extending from the flat surface of said base spaced from said first projection adapted to engage a second hole in said perforated board, an article supporting element extending from said base in a direction opposite to that of said projections, means defining a recess between said base and an adjacent portion of said article supporting element defining a flexible tongue at one end of said base, a cam surface formed in said recess, and means in said opening operatively connected to said base and movable against said cam surface to flex said tongue in a direction toward the board to move said one of said projections toward the other, whereby to clamp said base and hence said article support tightly to the perforated board.

14. The structure of claim 12 wherein said projections are of a length adapted to extend entirely through the board and said one of said projections includes a protuberance extending in a direction toward the other projection, and adapted to engage beneath the rim of its associated hole to clamp said base and hence said article support to the board.

15. The structure of claim .13 wherein said means to move said tongue comprises lever means including a transverse bar, said lever having a relatively long side and a short side and extending transversely across said recess and rotatable against said camsurface to flex said tongue, and an operating portion.

16. The structure of claim 15 wherein said lever means comprises a transverse bar of rectangular cross section having a long side and ashort side, and operating means to rotate said bar to engage its long side against said cam surface to bias said tongue away from said cam surface.

17. The structure of claim 15 wherein said transverse bar comprises one short side of a rectangular operating member comprising two long and two short sides, the short sides being interchangeably insertible into said recess.

18. The structure of claim 15 wherein the edges of said transverse bar are slightly arcuate to facilitate rotation thereof against said cam surface.

19. The structure of claim 15 wherein said article support, tongue projections and protuberance are formed of a single piece of molded plastic. V

20. The structure of claim 15 wherein said article sup port, tongue projections and protuberance are formed of a single piece of molded Tefion.

21. The structure of claim 15 wherein said cam surface is formed with a transverse groove into which said bar moves upon completion of its path of travel to provide an over center snap action clamping said bar and hence said tongue in operating position.

22. The structure of claim 15 wherein a transverse groove is formed in said tongue adjacent the end of said recess to impart flexibility thereto.

23. The structure of claim 15 wherein a lug is formed at the free end of said tongue to retain said transverse bar in said recess.

24. The structure of claim 15 wherein said tongue tapers to form an incline extending upwardly from said lug at the free end thereof, said bar travelling along said incline during rotation thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Babajofi Dec. 18, 1962 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A PERFORATED BOARD HAVING SPACED OPENINGS THEREIN, AN ARTICLE SUPPORT INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT BASE INCLUDING A RESILIENT FLEXIBLE PORTION SEATING AGAINST SAID BOARD, A FIRST PROJECTION EXTENDING INTO ONE OF SAID OPENINGS, A SECOND PROJECTION ON SAID FLEXIBLE PORTION EXTENDING INTO AN ADJACENT OPENING, SAID SECOND PROJECTION HAVING A PROTUBERANCE THEREIN EXTENDING TOWARD SAID FIRST PROJECTION, SAID PROJECTIONS BEING OF A LENGTH TO EXTEND INTERIORLY THROUGH SAID BOARD, AND MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID BASE FOR MOVING SAID FLEXIBLE PORTION AND HENCE MOVING SAID SECOND PROJECTION TOWARD SAID FIRST PROJECTION WHEREBY SAID PROTUBERANCE ENGAGES UNDER THE RIM OF ITS ASSOCIATED OPENING TO CLAMP SAID BASE AND HENCE SAID ARTICLE SUPPORT AGAINST SAID BOARD. 